Facing Threats From All Directions, Will the Vampire Authority Always Win?

The Mellencamp jokes abound in the aftermath of HBO’s broadcast of the third episode of Season 5 of True Blood. Chris Meloni made his long-awaited appearance as Roman Zimojic, and viewers were introduced to the characters who make up the body of the Authority. Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) and BillCompton (Stephen Moyer) might be viewed as an external threat to the Authority’s authority, but fans have begun to learn the greatest threat might be an internal one.

Alan Ball has said that Season 5 of True Blood would be a reflection of the current state of America’s political battle between extreme religion and secularism. Episode 3 revealed that the Authority will be the vehicle used to present that battle. Roman, as head of the Authority, is the Guardian of the blood of Lilith, and is the main architect of Mainstreaming. Among the seven Chancellors, there is a faction known as Sanguinistas. These are literal and rigidly dogmatic vampires who believe humans are meant to be cultivated as food.

The Authority: The First. The Last. The Eternal:

For an inside peek at The Authority check out HBO’s Inside True Blood Blog which sports a video titled “The Authority: The First. The Last. The Eternal”. The video is filled with scenes from the episode, as well as interviews with cast and crew. The interviews shed light on events viewers have already seen, and hints at exciting things yet to come. It’s entertaining and well worth the watch. On the more humorous side is Jessica’s video blog featuring her new BFF, Ginger. The socially awkward baby vamp and the consummate fangbanger discuss cutting edge fashion for the daring vampire. Nothing that leads to Jessica planning to purchase a ‘bandage dress’ on Bill’s credit card can be good. Check out the video below!

The Blame Sookie Episode:

Woo-Hoo! It’s nice to finally see that Pam’s makerly instincts kick in with the start of Episode 4 of HBO’s True Blood. And frankly, it’s a relief to see everything Eric has taught her has sunk in over the years. Pam teaches Tara, in her own special Pam-style way the art of being a vampire.

While things may be looking up for Tara and her torment, it seems that it’s time for Sookie to be down in the dumps. This episode finds her in typical Sookie trouble, only this time she’s in hot water with her friend Lafayette. This leads to not only conflict between the two of them but also the appearance of another nasty bout of Lafayette’s inner demons resurfacing. The inner demon goes a step further this week, and his actions lead to a car wreck for Sookie. Luckily she has the gumption to jump clear and save herself, just in the nick of time! Seems that Lafayette is still oblivious to his darker side when he calls later to check up on Sookie after discovering her smashed car.

It’s nice to find Bill and Eric ‘free’ for the first time in Season 5. But their release comes with a price – find Russell Edgington… or else. They also need to find out who ratted on them to the Authority. After a scary interrogation of Pam by Eric, Pam is able to convince Eric that his mistrust is misplaced. The realization that Eric’s involvement with the Authority could lead to the true death of his progeny forces Eric to make a very difficult decision, whereby he releases Pam’s allegiance and fealty to him, as her maker. It is a heart-wrenching scene which demonstrates the depth of the love that is shared between Maker and child. We know he is doing it to save her, but it sure hurts to see what appears to be the end of their journey together.

Even with Pam released, Bill and Eric still need to find their weakest link, or at least find the bug that provided the information to the Authority. While Jessica helps Bill search their house for bugs, her partying ways are discovered when Bill comes across a joint. While he may not have been the best of Makers at the start, it is clear to see that his role as Maker has developed into one where he provides guidance rather than dictates over Jessica.

Roman and Salome decide that Nora must either ‘fess up or be made an example of to the Sanguinistas. In the process of Salome trying to find out Nora’s true motives, Bill and Eric almost get the iStake. The threat of the lives of Bill and Eric forces Nora to finally fess up and provide the name of another internal traitor! Unfortunately for the traitor, he isn’t so lucky…

Things get interesting when Sookie confesses to her brother, Jason Stackhouse, that she killed Debbie. Luckily Jason doesn’t have to arrest his own sister when Jessica overhears and saves the day by glamouring Sheriff Andy Bellefleur.

Pam, after prohibiting Tara from killing herself, takes her back to Fangtasia. Here Tara and Bill have a fascinating conversation about being a new vampire. I must admit, I am preferring the character of Tara as a strung out vampire rather than a strung out human! Once again, the idea that people die (or nearly die) trying to keep Sookie safe is brought up. Seems more than one person is peeved at our fave little blonde waitress.

While Eric and Bill are discussing the implications of a leak within their inner circle, the Authority are discussing whether they have been duped by the pair. More hints at cracks from within the Authority are also suggested in this scene. Who is really, truly on Roman’s side?

We are then introduced to an interesting developing story line that first was introduced when Andy was seduced by a faerie last season. Turns out they have a secret burlesque-type club and Andy and Jason are invited to go. Looks like a fun place to be, especially for Jason.

Sam gets a daytime visit from his shifter friends. They convince Sam he should run with them. Of course, things turn out differently to what he expects when he turns up later on at their house and finds them both dead — what is going on there?

This scene segues into Sookie reading the minds of everyone around her at Merlotte’s. Turns out that absolutely everyone is mad at her in this episode! Add this to Lafayette’s ‘encouraged’ car malfunction, we find a very drunk Sookie at home when Alcide drops in for a visit. A hilarious drunken scene occurs, culminating in a kiss which is witnessed by Bill and Eric!

Speaking of Alcide, he confesses to the Pelts that their daughter, Debbie, is dead. He mostly manages to make the story fit without laying a finger of blame on Sookie.

We also find Terry and his marine friend, Patrick, on the road and searching for another member of their squad — the one who may possibly be responsible for all the fires that are occurring. An ugly flashback occurs here where we find the squad guilty of killing innocent civilians — is this their deep dark secret? Or is there more to the story still? The pair of them being held at gun point by the possible fire-bug in their squadron thickens the plot somewhat also.

Next, we find out who the rat in the Authority is. Many people cheered at home, I’m sure, when they found out that the annoying little vampire is the traitor. Not only did he take a video of himself draining a human, but he sent it, along with an encrypted sympathy message, to known opposition of the Authority. Needless to say he meets the final death and it is a magnificent bloodbath!

We end this episode with Jason, still in the faerie bar, where he finds his cousin, Hadley, serving drinks. Seems this club is more of a safe haven for faeries and part-faeries who want to keep their intoxicating blood safe from vampires. Hadley tries to convince Jason that he needs to bring Sookie here and lets it slip that Jason and Sookie’s parents were, in fact, killed by vampires. After a heated incident, Jason and Andy find themselves ejected from the club and left stranded in a field out in the middle of nowhere.

The last image we see is of Andy and Jason being light-zapped by faeries. Can’t wait to see where they end up next week. If you have any suggestions, let us know in the comments below.

Season 5 Preview, “Vampyr”:

A trailer for the fifth season of HBO’s True Blood gives us a 57 second preview of what is to come this season. While the preview doesn’t reveal a whole lot, what we do know is that we are going to get to know more about The Authority and the history of vampires. The preview is dedicated to showcasing a number of individuals in robes while one speaks in a foreign/unknown language, possibly Aramaic. What appears to be the head of the group of vampires -new castmate Christopher Meloni as Roman– slices open his wrist and allows a sacrifice of some sort to ingest a single drop of blood while vampires circle around them, attempting to restrain themselves from gorging on the fresh blood.

True Blood returns on June 10 at 9pm on HBO. Don’t forget to tune in Truebies!

Favorite Characters Are Back and New Ones Are Arriving:

HBO has released a full minute and a half long trailer for Season 5 of its series, True Blood. Through a combination of scenes from upcoming episodes and character voice over, it provides the major story arc fans will be following this year, and still manages to ask more compelling questions about what is to come.

For better or worse, Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) and BillCompton (Stephen Moyer) have joined forces, but remain on bad terms with Sookie (Anna Paquin). The two vampires find themselves in the middle of a battle between the newly freed Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare), and the previously unseen Vampire Authority, fronted by Roman (Chris Meloni). Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) is back, and appears to be advocating for the cultivation of humans for vampire consumption. It looks like JasonStackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) will have something to say about that.

Vampires, Werewolves, Old Acquaintances and Flashbacks

The HBO trailer for True Blood’s Season 5 contains brief scenes of EricNorthman in period clothing. That means fans will be getting flashbacks and back story! Alcide Herveaux (JoeManganiello) is back, once again looking out for Sookie. There is a brief scene of Eric and his progeny, Pam (Kristin Bauer Van Straten) in bed together. Is it a current scene or a flashback to the time of her turning?

Still, the biggest question that needs to be answered is asked in the very first scene of the trailer: What becomes of Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley)?

Take a look for yourself! What do you think is in store for Season 5? What burning question do you want to have answered?

True Blood’s Christopher Meloni Spills on His Role:

What with the steadily approaching arrival of True Blood‘s fifth season premiere on June 10, HBO has been releasing clips and images featuring the former Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star. Christopher Meloni, shown impeccably dressed in a suit, will be playing the authoritative, 500-year-old vampire Roman.

Although few details have been revealed about the vampire’s status between the good guys and the bad guys, Meloni says Roman is a “man with an agenda,” and was able to “smack around (Alexander) Skarsgård and (Stephen) Moyer.” With just this being enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats, he also adds, “I f**k someone else up, and I have a girlfriend, so that’s fun.” What this could mean for Eric and Bill, who knows…

When comparing the experience to his last television appearance, he notes, “We don’t have as many werepanthers.” Appreciating the new atmosphere, he also ironically added, “It’s been very freeing, except for the fact that I get off the show where I had to wear a coat and tie every day and they put me in a suit and tie every day.”

Check out a terrifying teaser trailer featuring Meloni as the frightening Roman!